Writing instrument provided with display feature



April 2 5, 1967 G. w. KIRKLEN WRITING INSTRUMENT PROVIDED WITH DISPLAY FEATURE Filed Sept. 10, 1965 IN VENTOR. 660266 w. 141/2164. an

United States Patent 3,315,395 WRITING INSTRUMENT PROVIDED WITH DISPLAY FEATURE George W. Kirklen, 754 Manchester Drive, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37415 Filed Sept. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 486,429 Claims. (Cl. 40-334) This invention relates generally to writing instruments of the type in which a cartridge is axially shiftable within a barrel so that its end can be advanced and retracted from the writing end of the barrel.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved means for allowing advertising or equivalent indicia to be displayed through a barrel having at least one part that can be seen through.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a construction which permits certain Writing instruments of commonly employed type to be readily converted to embody the advertising or display feature referred to. Heretofore instruments provided with such display exhibiting means have required the employment of cartridges of special design. In accordance with the present invention it is possible at very low cost and with a minimum of adjustment to incorporate a display feature with instruments of otherwise conventional design which can continue to utilize cartridges of the ordinary kind.

It is a more specific objective of the invention to provide a novel arrangement of parts by means of which the cartridge-advancing and retracting mechanism is utilized in an unusually simple and effective way for activating the display means.

The cartridge movements of writing instruments are commonly brought about by an actuating mechanism which includes a cup-shaped ratchet-like element accommodating and surrounding the rear end of the cartridge. It is ratchet-like (and is commonly referred to by the term ratchet) because it moves arcuately in a stepwise manner during the course of its axial movements. The axial movements bring abouta latching and unlatching of the ratchet (and cartridge) in an advanced position. A feature of the present invention resides in securing the rear end of a display-carrying sleeve to this ratchet, the sleeve coaxially surrounding the cartridge and bearing indicia on its external surface for exhibition through the barrel. The securement of the display-bearing sleeve to the ratchet does not affect or alter the basic nature or mode of functioning of the actuating mechanism, and does not interfere with the continued accommodation and use of the conventional low-cost cartridge.

It is another object of the invention to provide an association of parts in which the sleeve referred to is mounted so as to partake only of the arcuate movements of the ratchet. This is brought about by a simple key-in-slot type of articulation which also makes it possible to effect replacements of the sleeve speedily and easily.

Because the display sleeve moves arcuately only, the see-through part of the barrel can be more confined in longitudinal extent than would otherwise be the case.

The window may also have a width, circumferentially, considerably less than 360 degrees in extent, and it is a further object of the invention to provide a simple means for adjusting the circumferential disposition of such a Window with respect to the enclosed actuating mechanism so as to assure proper registry, with it, of the display material to be exhibited through it during the periods of rest of said sleeve. To achieve this objective, the barrel sections are preferably separably secured together by screw threads, and the threaded region on one of the sections is tapered whereby incremental rotational adjustments can be made without loosening the connection.

The preferred way of achievingthese objects and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter be pointed out, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a side view of a writing instrument embodying the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the actuator by itself;

FIGURE 5 is an end view in the direction 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the ratchet by itself;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-section on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 2; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing the relationship of the parts when the cartridge is retracted.

The instrument chosen for illustration has a barrel formed of forward and rearward cylindrical sections 10 and 11, separably connected by screw threads 12. The forward section 10 has at least one part thatdefines a window 30, and although it is permissible to make the seethrough part of the barrel 360 degrees in extent, it is preferable in many cases to impart a much smaller width to the window, as shown. The longitudinal extent of the window is optional.

The sections 10 and 11 may be composed of molded plastic, preferably opaque in all regions except the window 30. The window may be entirely open or it may consist of transparent plastic or the like.

The forward part of section 10 is tapered as shown, to define the writing end of the instrument.

The bar-rel is of course hollow, and, as shown in FIG. 2, a conventional cartridge 13 is mounted within it. At its forward end it is provided with the usual writing tip 14. A compression spring 15 encircles the cartridge near its front end. It rests upon an inturned shoulder 16 in the barrel and presses rearwardly against a crimped enlargement 17 formed on the cartridge in the usual way.

The cartridge is constantly spring-pressed in a rearward direction, and a mechanism at the other end of the barrel advances the cartridge 13 and latches it in advanced position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), or unlatches it to allow the spring 15 to move it to its retracted position.

The actuating mechanism is preferably accommodated in its entirety within the confines of the opaque rearward section 11 of the barrel. The general nature of such actuating mechanism is known, and its mode of operation will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 4-9.

The rear end of the cartridge 13 fits into the central opening 29 in the cup-shaped ratchet 19 (FIGS. 6 and 7). On the external surface of the ratchet 19 there are several (in this case, three) teeth or ribs 20. They are equally spaced in circumferential direction (in this case, at intervals of about degrees), and at their rear ends they are provided with slanting surfaces 21. The slants are all in the same direction.

The cartridge 13 may fit snugly or loosely into the ratchet 19, but the ratchet is in any case an element entirely separate from the cartridge. The latter may therefore be readily replaced by another cartridge of the conventional kind shown, whenever desired.

Cooperating with the ratchet 19 is an actuator 22 (FIGS. 4 and 5) having 'a rearwardly extending stem 23 and a cup-shaped part which fits coaxially over the rear end of the ratchet 19 in rotationally slidable relation. The actuator 22 carries circumferentially spaced :eeth 24. There are twice as many teeth 24 as there are ribs 20, and in the device shown the teeth 24 are six in number. They are equally spaced circumferentially (in this case, by about 60 degrees) and their forward ends are slanted or attenuated, as shown, for cooperation with the rearwardly described slanted surfaces 21 on the ratchet 19. The stem 23 projects out of the barrel for engagement by the user of the instrument.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be observed that the rear section 11 of the barrel is provided on its interior surface with a multiple number of equally spaced longitudinal channels. They correspond in number (in this case, six) to the number of teeth 24 on the actuator 22. The channels are alternately relatively shallow and relatively deep. The deeper ones are designated 25 in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shallower ones 26. Between the channels, at their forward ends, are forwardly directed shoulders which are slanted in the same direction as surfaces 21.

The teeth 24 are of a size which allows them to fit slidably within the channels 25 and 26. They remain constantly within their respective channels, and there is never any rotative movement of the actuator 22.

The ribs 20, however, are of such radial extent that they can fit only into the deeper channels 25 as shown in FIG. 9.

The channels 25 and 26 extend forwardly for only a limited distance. This distance is such that when the actuator 22 and ratchet 19 are pushed fully forward the ribs 20 lie wholly unconfined, in advance of the channels. Accordingly, when the ribs 20 are in alignment with the channels 25 (and there is no pressure on the actuator 22) the ratchet 19 can move into a fully rearward position under the urgence of the spring 15. The cartridge is then in retracted position. When pressure is exerted upon the actuator stem 23 the ratchet 19 is pushed forward, and as the ribs 20 leave the channels 25 the camming action of the teeth 24 upon the slanted rear surfaces 21 of ribs 20 causes the ratchet 19 to rotate through an arcuate increment. When the actuator is released the ratchet 19 moves rearward. The rear surfaces 21 encounter the forwardly directed shoulders between the channels 25, 26 and are cammed into alignment with the shallower channels 26. Since the ribs 20 cannot enter these channels the rearward movement of the ratchet 19 is halted (FIG. 8), and the effect of this is to latch the ratchet 19 (and the cartridge 13) in the advanced position. Upon renewed pressure on the actuator 22 three of the teeth 24 encounter the slanted surfaces 21 on the ribs 20 and again cause an arcurate movement of the ratchet 19, but this time when pressure is released and the ratchet 19 moves rearward the slanted surfaces 21 are cammed by the shoulders between the channels into alignment with the deeper channels 25. This allows the ratchet 19 to complete its rearward movement and thus bring about retraction of the cartridge 13. Thus the cartridge is alternately advanced and retracted as the actuating mechanism continues to be manipulated.

In effect, the actuating mechanism causes latching and unlatching of the cartridge in the advanced position, and the operation is accompanied in each case by axial and arcuate movements of the ratchet. If the cartridge is snugly fitted within the ratchet it will partake of the rotative movements as well as the axial movements.

Surrounding the cartridge 13 is an elongated sleeve 31 which bears display notations or indicia on its exterior surface. In accordance with this invention the front end of the sleeve 31 rests against the shoulder 16 and the rear end is secured to the ratchet 19 in such a way that it will partake of the rotational movements of the ratchet but not of the longitudinal movements. The preferred securement is brought about by forming the ratchet 19 with a special cylindrical extension having an axial bore 29 to permit passage of the cartridge 13 through it and having an outer surface that establishes a sliding fit with the sleeve 31. Either the extension 32 or the sleeve 31 is provided with a longitudinal slot, the other with a key or pin riding in the slot. In the device illustrated the extension 32 carries a radially projecting pin 33 and the upper or rear region of the sleeve 31 has a longitudinal slot 34. In this way the ratchet 19 can move axially back and forth without carrying the sleeve 31 with it, but arcuate movements of the ratchet cause corresponding movement of the sleeve 31. The extension 32 is of sufficient longitudinal extent to remain in sliding engagement with the sleeve during the axial movements of the ratchet. The entire ratchet 19 is preferably made of a single molding or plastic or the like, and the extension 32 and key 33 can be integral parts of it.

The indicia on the sleeve 31 are arranged to show through the window 30. In order that proper registry be established, one of the screw-threaded regions at 12 is tapered. In this way a slight but forceful tightening movement will allow the barrel section 10 to be adjusted through arcuate increments without loosening the connection between the sections 10 and 11.

In applying the display feature to a writing instrument employing the usual ratchet of the character described (i.e., without the extension 32), it is merely necessary to furnish a windowed barrel section if one is not already in use, and to replace the conventional ratchet with one having the extension 32. Any one of various display sleeves 31 can then be selectively applied as herein described and the barrel sections reassembled. Screw threading of the tapered kind, or equivalent adjusting means, should be provided for so that the display material will show through the window 30 in the desired way during rest periods of the ratchet and sleeve. A replacement of the display sleeve 31 can be similarly brought about by merely temporarily separating, then reconnecting, the barrel sections.

It is to be particularly noted that a conventional cartridge can be used, and its replacement effected from time to time, in accordance with common practice, and that no special cartridge construction or use are called for. This contributes materially to the low cost of manufacture, to the low cost of continued use of an instrument employing the invention, and to the ease with which the benefits of the invention can be achieved.

It will be understood that many of the structural details described and illustrated may obviously be altered without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a writing instrument, a barrel provided with at least one window part, a cartridge mounted in the barrel for advancement and retraction from the writing end of the barrel, a spring surrounding the cartridge and urging it rearward, an actuating mechanism for latching and unlatching the cartridge in its advanced position, said mechanism including a cup-shaped ratchet surrounding the rear end of the cartridge and moving both axially and arcuately during operation of said mechanism said ratchet being an element entirely separate from said cartridge, an elongated sleeve coaxially surrounding but unconnected to said cartridge, means on said ratchet and means on said sleeve for connecting the rear end of said sleeve to said ratchet so that the sleeve will partake only of the arcuate movements of the ratchet, and indicia on the external surface of said sleeve positioned to show through said window, the independence of said cartridge of both said ratchet and said sleeve permitting the cartridge to be removed and replaced without disturbing said sleeve and ratchet.

2. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1, in which the securement of said sleeve to said ratchet is effected by a key-in-slot articulation, one of said elements being provided with a longitudinal slot, the other with a key riding in said slot.

3. A writing instrument as defined in claim 2, in which the sleeve is provided with said slot and the ratchet is provided with said key, said key being formed on a cylindrical extension on the front end of the ratchet, said extension being provided with an axial bore to permit passage of the cartridge through it and having an outer surface with which the rear sleeve end establishes a sliding fit.

4. A writing instrument as defined in claim 3, in which said ratchet is an element of molded plastic and said cylindrical extension and key are integral parts thereof.

5. For use with a writing instrument of the character described, a cup-shaped ratchet adapted to accommodate the rear end of a cartridge and having longitudinally arranged circumferentially spaced ribs adjacent to its closed end, the outer surface of the ratchet adjacent to the open end being longitudinally extensive enough to establish a sliding fit Within the rear end of an elongated 6 display sleeve, and an elongated display sleeve bearing indicia on its outer surface and coaxially encircling the forwardly projecting part of said ratchet, means on said ratchet and means on said sleeve for establishing a key-inslot engagement between said ratchet and said sleeve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,896,348 7/ 1959 Herne 40334 2,971,283 2/1961 Parker 40-334 3,191,329 6/ 1965 Shea 40-3 34 FOREIGN PATENTS 930,464 7/ 196-3 Great Britain. 957,109 5/1964 Great Britain.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WRITING INSTRUMENT, A BARREL PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WINDOW PART, A CARTRIDGE MOUNTED IN THE BARREL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND RETRACTION FROM THE WRITING END OF THE BARREL, A SPRING SURROUNDING THE CARTRIDGE AND URGING IT REARWARD, AN ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR LATCHING AND UNLATCHING THE CARTRIDGE IN ITS ADVANCED POSITION, SAID MECHANISM INCLUDING A CUP-SHAPED RATCHET SURROUNDING THE REAR END OF THE CARTRIDGE AND MOVING BOTH AXIALLY AND ARCUATELY DURING OPERATION OF SAID MECHANISM SAID RATCHET BEING AN ELEMENT ENTIRELY SEPARATE FROM SAID CARTRIDGE, AN ELONGATED SLEEVE COAXIALLY SURROUNDING BUT UNCONNECTED TO SAID CARTRIDGE, MEANS ON SAID RATCHET AND MEANS ON SAID SLEEVE FOR CONNECTING THE REAR END OF SAID SLEEVE TO SAID RATCHET SO THAT THE SLEEVE WILL PARTAKE ONLY OF THE ARCUATE MOVEMENTS OF THE RATCHET, AND INDICIA ON THE EXTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID SLEEVE POSITIONED TO SHOW THROUGH SAID WINDOW, THE INDEPENDENCE OF SAID CARTRIDGE OF BOTH SAID RATCHET AND SAID SLEEVE PERMITTING THE CARTRIDGE TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITHOUT DISTURBING SAID SLEEVE AND RATCHET. 